In the news: What would the AMA's proposed ban on pharm ads mean for magazine publishers if it came to fruition?

Citing rising healthcare costs and inflated demand, the American Medical Association has recently proposed a ban on direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical ads. These direct-to-consumer (DTC) ads are a significant source of revenue -- over $4 billion, according to WSJ.com -- for print publishers and television networks.

It's a controversial move. The Association of National Advertisers has lashed out against the ban, insisting that DTC pharm ads deliver important information to consumers. Moreover, asserts ANA, the ban would infringe upon advertisers' and publishers' free speech.

Read more about the proposed ban and ANA's opposition here and here. For commentary on how the ban would affect magazine publishers in particular, click here.

Also Notable

Profile: A Modern Magazine Executive

This week, AdWeek.com published a profile about its magazine executive of the year, Troy Young (president, Hearst Magazines Digital Media). The profile zeroes in on some of his digital initiatives: implementing a new content management system, creating new digital-only brands, cross-posting content across multiple brands, and forging new digital content partnerships. Read the full profile here.

B2B Revenue Growth in 2015

Earlier this month, ABM issued its Business Information Network report for the first half of 2015. B2B media is on the rise, up 4 percent with digital advertising now surpassing print by a slim margin. Read more here.

Details Magazine Closes Its Doors

At the end of the year, men's magazine Details, published by Condé Nast, will close. The magazine was in print for over three decades. GQ spinoff GQ Style will print quarterly and expand its online presence to retain displaced readers of the shuttered men's style title. Read more about the closure and other restructuring at Condé Nast here.